The future seems bright Portland's 19-year-old right back Alvas Powell, who has already made two starts in MLS regular season games since the Timbers signed him on loan in June. Thomas Boyd/The Oregonian

Alvas Powell's eyes probably widened a bit when he was selected as a starter for the Portland Timbers against Vancouver in a MLS regular season game.

"Who me?" Powell recalled saying.

The surprise was justified. Powell is just 19-years-old, but the right back has started two MLS games and seems to be rapidly gaining the favor and confidence of coach Caleb Porter. Porter has inserted the teenager into games that have an impact on the Timbers playoff hopes in the final games of the regular season.

"We thought he'd be a guy that would eventually fit more of the prototypical outside back that we look for," Porter said. "A guy that's athletic, that can really run the channel and go box to box. Get forward, provide width, be a threat in the attack, but also defensively be capable of getting back. Alvas kind of checks all those boxes."

Powell has given Porter reason for placing so much trust in him. The Jamaican international player has added athleticism and speed to the right side, giving the Timbers another attacking in Porter's offense.

The 6-foot Powell has already displayed an ability to cover plenty of ground quickly, an attribute that veterans backs Jack Jewsbury and Ryan Miller lack.

"I think he brings some different things to the table with his athleticism and his ability to bomb on, get forward and be a threat," Porter said. "If you're trying to really get something going forward a bit more in that channel, then Alvas is probably a better fit."

Those physical gifts are what Porter and Portland general manager Gavin Wilkinson saw while watching Powell play for the Jamaican national team in World Cup qualifying games. Porter was impressed with Powell's coolness on the field, a trait not often associated with a teenager playing on such a big and pressure-filled stage.

"What caught my eye was the fact that a young player was playing in that type of environment and he didn't look rattled. I loved the fact that he looked pretty composed," Porter said. "A lot of kids at 19 would look very hyper and very nervous, emotional or look rattled. You either have the maturity and the presence or you don't."

The Timbers signed Powell on loan from Jamaican team Portmore United FC June 28. Powell said he was thrilled at the opportunity to play in MLS, but not as excited as his mother.

"She started to cry," Powell said.

Powell made his first appearance with the Timbers reserve team, playing 77 minutes in a 1-0 loss to Los Angeles July 14 and followed that appearance with a 90-minute performance in Portland's exhibition game against Norwich City July 24.

Fellow Jamaican and Timbers forward Ryan Johnson, who has seen Powell play on the national team, isn't surprised.

Porter inserted Powell into the starting 11 in a home game against Vancouver Aug. 3, marking his MLS regular season debut with the team, playing 63 minutes in the game before tiring. Powell came off the bench for Miller in the 77th minute in the 2-1 loss at Real Salt Lake in the U.S. Open Cup tournament Aug. 7 and started in the 2-1 win against Dallas Aug. 17.

Powell has adapted to MLS play, which he said is very different than how the game is played in Jamaica. He said the pace of the game is much faster in MLS and he must be careful about his physical play.

"You have to watch your tackles," Powell said. "Here it's a high level of soccer and the pace is very high. I have to adjust to it quickly."

Porter does like Powell's potential, but he has plenty to learn.

"He's still nowhere near where he needs to be. He's got some things to work on," Porter said. "There were few things in the Dallas game that I thought needed to be improved."

The youngster was schooled on the goal by Dallas midfielder Mauro Diaz, who scored after a very nice buildup. Powell admitted he was ball watching.

"I need to work on my movements - off the ball movements," Powell said. "I'm just watching and I get caught out of position at times."

The inexperienced Powell may be a little wide-eyed and make mistakes at times, but he's done nothing to make Porter think the team goofed by acquiring him.

"The minutes that he has played I think have been very impressive for a youngster," Porter said. "I think he gives us a lot of optimism for the future that he can be a guy that really plays an integral role in our system."